The Illinois Department of Transportation will conduct two public hearings to present information on revising the Prairie Parkway corridor protection, proposed road closures and air quality assessments. The purpose of the hearings is to present information, obtain feedback, request comments and record testimony.
Meetings will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Yorkville High School, 797 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, and on Thursday at Kaneland John Shields Elementary School, 85 S. Main St., Sugar Grove. A presentation and question-and-answer session will be at 6:30 p.m. each night.
The preferred alternative for the Prairie Parkway is Alternative B5 with Route 47 widening. B5 begins in the north at Interstate 88 near Kaneville and runs south until just south of Caton Farm Road, at which point it traverses to the east to connect to Interstate 80 near Minooka. Route 47 will be widened to four lanes from Caton Farm Road south to I-80.
The public will be able to review exhibits, discuss the study with representatives from IDOT, provide oral or written testimony that will be included as part of the public record and make comments. Land acquisition specialists also will be available to answer questions about right-of-way acquisition and residence or business relocation that may be required.
Information about the Prairie Parkway Study can be viewed online at www.prairie-parkway.com.
The public is invited to submit written comments about the project before, at or after the hearing. Written comments related to the project will become part of the official hearing record and will be accepted until the close of the comment period ending Monday, Aug. 13. People can submit written comments to: George Ryan, P.E., Deputy Director of Highways, Regional Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation, District 3, 700 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa, IL 61350.
The record of decision, which is the federal authorization to proceed with the project, is expected in late 2007. Land acquisition could start in 2008, and construction could start as soon as 2009.